Transformer Alarms Summary

Alarm Possible cause Action

Buchhloz relay  Oil loss The transformer would still be in service. The
alarm  Accumulation of following tests and examinations should be carried
air out :-
 Gas generation 1.Check oil level
due to internal failure 2. Check the electrical connections.
 Violent vibration 3. Check the tripping mechanism of the Buchhloz
 False tripping relay.
4. Take a sample of the gas from the relay, and put
it in a glass container for five hours and analyze it.
5. Take oil sample from tank top and make a gas
analysis.
6. Take oil sample from tank bottom and check the
dielectric strength.
7.undo all bushing connections and make the
following measurements :-
i- Measure the insulation resistance between the
windings and tank wall and between the windings
themselves (rough guide value 1 M per KV rated
voltage).
ii- ratio measurement.
iii- measure the winding resistance with DC.
iv- measure the no-load current.
8. Compare the results with the test certificates of
the operating instructions.
 Vent the transformer and put it back into
operation when fault can not be found or faults
have been eliminated.
 Oil loss
 Violent oil surge
due to inside flash  The transformer would be tripped. Carry out
over. tests and measurements as described earlier.
Buchhloz relay
 Violent gas  Vent the transformer and put it back into
trip generation due to operation when fault cannot be found or faults have
internal failure been eliminated.
 Violent vibration
 False tripping
Fan power ‫عدم وجىد جهد على مزاوح تبزيد‬ ‫مزاجعت مفاتيح تغذيت المزاوح علىالمحىل و على ال‬
lower voltage ‫المحىل مه كال ً مه المصدريه‬ MCC
 Cooling power ‫عدم وجىد جهد على مزاوح تبزيد‬ ‫مزاجععت مفاتيح مصدري التغذيت مه علىالمحىل و على ال‬
auto transfer ‫المحىل مه أحد مصدري التغذيت‬ MCC
Cooling fan ‫حدوث سيادة تحميل على أحد‬
‫معزفت المزوحت سبب العطل تمهيدا ً لعشلها‬
over current ‫مزاوح التبزيد‬
Sudden  Check the transformer as described under
 Internal arcing Buchhloz relay.
pressure relay
Internal tank pressure too
high due to:-  Check the pipes and valves between the
Pressure relief  Conservator pipe shut conservator and the tank.
device off or clogged.  Check the transformer as described under
 Electric flashover Buchhloz relay.
inside the tank.
 Not enough oil  Check oil level.
Oil level low  Oil loss  Check oil leak.
Oil or winding  Transformer over load  Reduce load of the transformer (alarm case).
temperature or inadequate cooling.  Put cooling fans in service and check its
high alarm, trip.  Incorrect temperature performance.
adjustment.  Clean the cooling equipments.
 Adjust incorrect temperature settings.
 Check the thermocouples.
 Check the electrical connections and the
tripping mechanism.
 Check the ambient temperature and any close
heat sources.
Protective relay Oil flows occur from the  Check the on-load tap changer.
alarm (start-up tap changer to the  Check the relay for false tripping.
conservator.
transformer)
 Brief Notes on Some of the Transformer Protection Devices

1. Differential relay
The differential relay is the main protection for the transformers and generators. It initiates
an immediate trip signal when the difference between the input and the output current
exceeds certain tolerance which indicates the presence of a fault (short circuit) in the
protection zone.

2. Over current relay

It protects the transformer against the excessive over loads which could endanger the
transformer and short the life time of the transformer or result in a greater damage. It
initiates a trip signal when the current exceeds the setting for a certain time. It is used also
as aback-up protection for the differential protection in case of short circuits.

3. Buchhloz (gas actuated) relay

The relay is a hydraulic device that should be installed between the tank and oil
conservator. In oil immersed transformers violent generation of gases can be expected
under the condition of sudden short circuits, earth faults, core faults, …etc. Buchhloz relay
operates whenever any fault with the generation of gas, oil leakage and penetration of air
occur in a transformer.

4. Sudden pressure (rapid pressure rise) relay

Detects rates of pressure increase of the transformer internal pressure and trips the
transformer due to internal arcing which generate excessive gas pressures that can severely
damage the transformer.

5. Pressure relief device

A spring loaded valve which actuates when the pressure inside the transformer increases
the safety limits to protect the tank from explosion.

6. Protective relay RS 2001

The protective relay serves for signaling a fault in the diverter switch/selector switch oil
compartment and is to limit the damage to the on-load tap changer in case of failure. The
protective relay responds only if oil flows occur from the tap changer head to the oil
conservator. The flowing oil actuates the flap valve, which tips over into position "OFF"
the tripping switch is thereby actuated.

7. Restricted Earth Fault Protection

The restricted earth fault detects earth faults in the star point of which is led to earth. A pre-
condition is that a current transformer is installed in the star-point lead, i.e. between the
star-point and earth. The star-point c.t. and the three phase c.t.'s define the limits of the
protected zone exactly. During healthy operation no star point currents flows through the
star-point lead, the sum of the phase currents is zero, too.
 Brief Notes on Some of the Generator Protection Devices

1. Under-Excitation Protection
The under-excitation protection protects the generator from asynchronous operation in the
event of a malfunction in the excitation system, or in the case of the generator operation in
a system with capacitive load and from local overheating of the rotor. Furthermore, it
prevents endangering of the network stability in the case of under-excitation of large
synchronous machine. This causes higher temperature rises in the rotor and core end
portions, rotor overvoltage, system swings and torsional vibrations of the shaft.
The under-excitation protection simulates the stability characteristics of the machine means
of two partial characteristics the distances from the origin  as well as the associated
inclination angles .the time delay is necessary in order to allow time for the voltage
regulator to increase the excitation voltage.
1=80, 1=0.4, 10sec.
2=80, 2=0.4, 1.5sec.
3=80, 3=0.4, 1.3sec.

2. Under-Voltage Protection
The under-voltage protection detects voltage drops in the generator and prevents
impermissible operating conditions and possible loss of stability. The under-voltage is
single-stage.

3. Over-Voltage Protection
Over-voltage protection has the task of protecting the generator and the associated
electrical plant connected to it from the effects of impermissible voltage increases.
Over-voltages can be caused by incorrect manual operation of the excitation systems,
faulty operation of the automatic voltage regulator, full load shedding of a generator,
separation of the generator from the system or during island operation.
The over-voltage protection is two-stage design. A large over-voltage initiates a fast trip; a
small over voltage initiates a slow trip.
1st U> 127V (24.25 KV) 2.5Sec.
2nd U>> 143V (27.3 KV) 0.1Sec.

4. Stator Earth Fault

The stator earth fault protection detects earth faults in the windings of the generator which
could result from the breakdown of insulation between the stator winding and frame. The
protection should cover the complete winding, including the neutral point of the generator.
The protection is to initiate immediate isolation and de-excitation of the generator. The
criterion for the occurrence of an earth fault is the occurrence of a neutral displacement
voltage.
R 109 10S alarm
R 27 1S trip
5. Frequency Protection
Frequency protection is used to disconnect the generator from the network in the event of
an impermissible under frequency or over frequency condition.
The cause of under frequency is either an excessive demand of active power from the
network, or faulty operation of the frequency regulator. Under frequency protection is also
applied on the generator when operates (temporarily) in an island network or in the case of
house load. In an island operation or in house load condition the reverse power protection
cannot operate should the prime mover fails (turbine or boiler trip), the under frequency
protection can be used to trip the generator.
Over frequency is caused, for example, by load shedding (island operation) or by faulty
operation of the frequency regulator. The danger in this case is that machines connected to
long unloaded lines may commence to self-excite.
f1< 48.5Hz 3S
f1<< 47.5Hz 120mS
f>> 51.5Hz ins

6. Reverse Power Protection

Reverse power protection is used to protect the generator in case of failure of energy of the
prime mover. In this case the synchronous generators runs as a motor and the turbine
whereby the required motoring energy is taken from the network. This condition leads to
overheating of the turbine blades and must be interrupted within a short time by tripping
the network circuit-breaker.
Trip time with ESV open 6S.
Trip time with ESV close 2S.

7. Stator Overload Protection

Stator overload protection prevents the stator windings of the generator from thermal
overload damage.

8. Rotor Earth Fault Protection

Rotor earth fault protection is used to detect high- and low-ohmic earth faults in the
excitation circuit of the generator. One earth fault in the excitation winding does not cause
immediate damage; however, if a second if a second earth fault occurs then this represents
a winding short-circuit of the excitation circuit. Magnetic unbalances can occur resulting in
extreme mechanical forces which can lead to the destruction of the machine. Rapid fault
detection is required for the following reasons:
 An interruption of the field circuit with arcing releases high amount of energy in the form
of heat which may cause sever burning.
 A one-line-to-ground fault may develop to a double ground fault, resulting in dangerous
magnetic unbalances.
R< 80 K 10S alarm
R<< 5 K 1S trip
9. Over Current Protection
System faults may result in an admissible thermal stressing of the generator. For this
reason, an overcurrent protection should be provided which operates on failure of the
system protection. It could be definite time or inverse time characteristics.
I> 1.2 I/IN 2S
I>> 2.31 I/IN 0.1S

10. Differential Protection

Breakdown of insulation between different stator phase windings results in an internal
short-circuit. The fault is detected by a differential relay which initiates immediate isolation
and de-excitation of the generator. Differential protection systems operate according to the
principle of current comparison and are therefore also known as current balance system.

11. Impedance Protection

The impedance protection is used as a selective time graded protection to provide shortest
possible tripping times for short-circuits in the synchronous machines, on the terminal
leads as well as in the lower-voltage winding of the unit transformer. It thus provides a fast
back-up protection to the generator and transformer protection differential relays. It
operates as a time-delayed over-current protection for short circuits in the higher-voltage
side of the transformer, thus providing a back-up protection for these faults.
Z1: (R 1.6 X 1.6 ) t=0.3S

12. Out-Of-Step Protection

In extensive high-voltage networks, short circuits which are not disconnected quickly
enough, or, disconnection of coupling links which may result in an increasing of the
coupling reactance, may lead to system swings. These consist of power swings which
endanger the stability of the power transmission. Stability problems result in particular
from active power swings which can lead to pole-slipping and thus to overloading of the
synchronous machines.
Pick-up current (+ve seq.) for out of step I1> 1.29 I/IN
Pick-up current (-ve seq.) for out of step I2> 0.2 I/IN

13. Unbalanced Load Protection

Unbalanced load protection is used to detect asymmetrical loading. Asymmetrical loading
produces an inverse (negative sequence) rotating field which acts, with double frequency,
on the rotor. Eddy currents are induced on the surface of the rotor which leads to localized
overheating in the rotor end zones and in the slot wedges.
I2> 6% 20S alarm
I2>> 54% 3S trip

14. Restricted Earth Fault Protection

The restricted earth fault detects earth faults in the generator star point of which is led to
earth. A pre-condition is that a current transformer is installed in the star-point lead, i.e.
between the star-point and earth. The star-point c.t. and the three phase c.t.'s define the
limits of the protected zone exactly. During healthy operation no star point currents flows
through the star-point lead, the sum of the phase currents is zero, too.
 When an earth fault occurs in the protected zone, a star-point current will flow; depending
on the earthing conditions of the power system a further earth current can be recognized in
the residual current path of the phase current transformers. As all current which flow into
the protected zone are defined positive, the residual current from the system will be more
or less in phase with the star-point current.
When an earth fault occurs outside the protected zone, a star-point current will flow
equally; but the residual current of the phase current transformers is now of equal
magnitude and in phase opposition with the star-point current.
When a fault without earth connection occurs outside the protected zone, a residual current
may occur in the residual current path of the phase current transformers, which is caused
by different saturation of the phase current transformers under strong through-current
conditions. This current could simulate a fault in the protected zone. Wrong tripping must
be avoided under such condition. For this, the restricted earth fault protection provides
stabilization methods which differ strongly from the usual stabilization methods of
differential protection schemes.

15. Inadvertent Protection (RAGUA Relay)

RAGUA is a three phase, solid state, high speed relay designed for the protection of
machines which are inadvertently(‫ )بدون قصد‬energized while at standstill or on turning gear.
This relay does not prevent such energizations but detects them and initiates instantaneous
tripping as fast as 8 ms.

16. Highly Sensitivity Earth Current (Earth Fault Over Current)

Protection
The highly sensitive earth current protection has the task to detect earth fault in the
generator area. The pick-up criterion is the magnitude of the residual earth current. The
measured current may be derived from special window-type summation current
transformers or from three star-connected current transformers (Holmgreen connection).
Furthermore, it is possible to use the displacement voltage of an earthing transformer,
which is transformed into current by means of a suitable shunt resistor.
Ie > 383mA 0.6S

Brief Notes on Some of the Transmission Lines Protection Devices

1. Distance Protection
Distance protection is the main protection for transmission lines. Its main idea is to detect
the three phase currents and the three phase voltages (via current and voltage transformers);
by dividing the voltage over the current the impedance should be detected.
V
Z
I
When short circuit occurs on the transmission line the voltage tends to decay while the
current highly increased; so the resulting impedance from the last equation highly
decreased.
A four pre-defined trip zones are introduced in the relay to clear the fault as fast as
possible.

2. Over current Protection

It protects the transmission line against the excessive over loads which could damage the
transmission line or short its life time. It initiates a trip signal when the current exceeds the
setting after four seconds definite delay time. The relay could be also adjusted to trip by
inverse time characteristics. It is used also as aback-up protection for the distance
protection in case of short circuits.